Dave Rickey, spokesman for the BBA, confirmed that Davis offered his resignation last week.

"We appreciate his service to the committee and the BBA board," Rickey said.

Rickey would not elaborate as to why Davis resigned as chairman.

Davis, a lobbyist for the Balch & Bingham law firm, was a volunteer for Bell's re-election campaign when he sent the email on Aug. 10 to Atlanta-based Southeastrans Inc. In the email Davis suggested the president of the transportation management company attend a fundraiser for Bell on Aug. 18 and offer a donation of $1,000 to Bell's campaign.

Southeastrans is a firm that might seek to win a city contract to provide transportation services from the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to entertainment districts and attractions in the city, which Bell plans to bring back before the Birmingham City Council, according to the email.

Efforts to reach Davis were unsuccessful. A spokeswoman for Balch & Bingham was not aware of his resignation from the BBA committee and had no comment.